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Open water swimmer in Fenit Bay wearing an orange tow float during a coached sea swim

Open Water Swim Coaching in Kerry

SWIM COACHING

Open Water Swim Coaching in Kerry (Sea Swimming for All Levels)

Coached sea swimming and open water training in Fenit and Tralee Bay, County Kerry — from first-time sea swimmers to triathletes and marathon swim preparation. Build confidence, improve technique, and train smarter with expert coaching and safety support

A person in a black wetsuit stands on a rocky outcrop by the ocean, holding a blue ball and smiling. Waves crash against the rocks beneath them, and the sea extends into the background.
A group of people wearing wetsuits and swim gear stand on a rocky shore by a body of water, attentively listening to a person in a wetsuit holding a megaphone. In the background, small islands and hills are visible under a cloudy sky.

Meet Your Coach - John Edwards

I’ve been involved in long-distance and marathon swimming for years and have won multiple events. I have coached Kingdom Swimming Club, Killarney Swimming Club, Tralee Triathlon Club, and Tralee Bay Stingray Squads (surf lifesaving) for over 13 years, and discovered a real passion for helping swimmers improve — especially through technique correction, efficient stroke mechanics, and smart endurance training.

 

Who This Open Water Swim Coaching Is For?

Whether you call it sea swimming or open water swimming, our coached sessions are designed for adults who want to feel more confident in the sea, swim more efficiently, and build real endurance.

New to Sea Swimming

Ideal if you’re curious about sea swimming but unsure where to start. You’ll get:

  • Water confidence and safe sea habits
  • Cold-water acclimatisation and relaxed breathing
  • Stroke technique and pacing so you feel relaxed and never rushed

Returning Swimmers

Perfect if you used to swim and want to get back into it safely:

  • Technique refresh and efficiency improvements
  • Steady progression over 5-week coaching blocks
  • Support to rebuild fitness and comfort in open water

Improvers Wanting Better Technique and Distance

For swimmers who can swim but want to go further with less effort:

  • Stroke correction and front crawl efficiency
  • Endurance-building sessions and pacing skills
  • Navigation (sighting) and stamina in open water

Triathletes and Event Swimmers

For anyone training for triathlon or open water events:

  • Interval sets, drafting practice, and race skills
  • Pacing strategies and event-ready preparation
  • Confidence in wetsuit swimming and open water starts

Long-Distance and Marathon Swim Athletes

For experienced swimmers working toward big distance goals:

  • Structured progression plans for endurance and speed
  • Distance coaching from 2km upwards in Tralee Bay
  • Safety cover and support for long training swims

Not sure where you fit? We’ll recommend the best group based on your current ability and your goal.

Coaching Levels and Training Programmes

Choose the level that suits you now — then progress through structured coaching as your confidence and fitness grow.

Beginner – Intro to Open Water Swimming

Ideal for those new to sea swimming. We focus on water confidence, acclimatisation, and stroke basics.

Improver – Technique and Endurance Building

Suitable for swimmers who want to build distance and technique. Sessions cover pacing, navigation (sighting), and stamina.

Intermediate – Event Ready Coaching

Tailored to swimmers training for races or long-distance swims. Includes interval training, drafting, sighting drills and endurance blocks.

Advanced – Competitive and Marathon Swim Preparation

For triathletes and experienced swimmers preparing for marathon swims or competitions. Structured plans for speed, stamina, and performance.

Schedule, Location and Format

Summer Coaching Blocks

  • Training blocks run throughout summer
  • Evening sessions in Fenit, Monday–Friday
  • Coached groups with guidance matched to your level

Distance Training in Tralee Bay

  • Distance training available from 2km upwards
  • Ideal for endurance builds, marathon goals and long-distance swim preparation

Support Included

  • Safety cover and supervised open-water sessions
  • Technique feedback and (where appropriate) analysis
  • Training schedules and progression advice
  • Guidance on conditions, tides and safe decision-making

Why Choose Open Water Coaching?

  • Improve stroke efficiency and swim further with less effort
  • Build confidence and safety awareness in the sea
  • Prepare effectively for triathlon, open water events and distance challenges
  • Learn pacing, sighting and open-water skills you can’t replicate in the pool
  • Join a welcoming community of swimmers for coached and social swims

Season Finale Swim Fest in September

Finish the summer with our Swim Fest in September, featuring a mix of swim distances — a great goal event whether you’re building confidence or chasing performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be experienced already?

No — we cater for all levels of swimmers.  These are coached sessions and not swim lessons. Beginners start with water confidence, learning open water skills before progressing into distance swims.

Can you help with long distance goals?

Yes. We coach swimmers for challenges from 2km upwards, providing structured training, safety cover and event support.

 



If you have a long distance swim you would like to accomplish please talk to us. We run swims from anywhere from 2 km – 35 km in the Tralee Bay area.

 

We can help plan your event, cover water safety, work a training schedule, build on stamina and fine tune technique and pick the perfect conditions to execute your swim.

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

Testimonials

 
Best of Kerry
Connect Kerry
Kerry Business
Tripadvisor
Wise
 
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